Abstract: A side pocket mandrel for use in a gas lift system is configured to improve the recovery of petroleum fluids from a well. The side pocket mandrel includes an upper assembly joint, a lower assembly joint, and a central portion that has a total length (LT). The side pocket mandrel further comprises a central bore extending through the side pocket mandrel along a central longitudinal axis that extends through the upper and lower assembly joints. The side pocket mandrel further includes a tool channel offset from the central bore and a side pocket tube linearly aligned with the tool channel and configured to receive a gas lift valve. The side pocket mandrel further includes a pair of primary flow blocks that each have a length (LFa) that is at least 35% of the total length (LT) of the central portion of the side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a process for manufacturing a side pocket mandrel that involves welding upper and lower swages to a central body of the side pocket mandrel. In some embodiments, the process includes the steps of providing a first side of the welded joint and a second side of the welded joint, where the first and second sides are either the central body or the swage. The process continues with the step of approximating the first and second sides such that the first and second sides are in contact. Importantly, the first and second sides are brought together without creating a root gap between the first and second sides. Next, the first and second sides are welded together to form the welded joint between the swage and the central body.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel is configured for use within a gas lift system deployed in a well that has an annular space surrounding the gas lift system. The side pocket mandrel includes a central body that includes a central bore, a gas lift valve pocket, and a gas lift valve installed within the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include a motorized choke valve assembly to selectively cover some or all of an internal tubing port extending between the central bore and the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include an automatic closing valve assembly configured to automatically close the gas lift valve port when the gas lift valve is removed from the side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel for use within a gas lift system is configured to permit the exchange of valve pockets. The side pocket mandrel has a central body, a receiver that is laterally offset from the central body, and a valve pocket that is removably secured to the receiver. The valve pocket can be configured for a threaded connection with the receiver to permit the facilitated exchange of modular valve pockets at the receiver. Gas from the valve pocket can be carried to the central body of the side pocket mandrel through one or more external gas lines or one or more internal gas injection passages.

Abstract: For a side pocket mandrel that has a primary flow bore and an offset side pocket, a method for installing a guide sleeve begins with the step of compressing the guide sleeve to reduce an outer diameter of the guide sleeve. The method continues with the step of inserting the guide sleeve into a section of the primary flow bore that has a first inner diameter (D1). The method continues with the steps of allowing the guide sleeve to radially expand such that the outer diameter of the guide sleeve matches the first diameter, pushing the guide sleeve further into the primary flow bore to a guide sleeve section that has a second inner diameter (D2) that is larger than the first inner diameter (D1), and allowing the guide sleeve to radially expand to capture the guide sleeve within the guide sleeve section of the primary flow bore.

Abstract: A valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a piston disposed in the housing, the piston having a first end and a second end, the piston movable between a position blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet and a position allowing fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, a pressure balance pathway through the housing porting the same pressure to both first and second ends of the piston, an actuator responsive to applied pressure on the valve, the actuator attached to the piston and a biasing arrangement configured to bias the actuator toward a closed position of the valve. A method for injecting a sequestration fluid including maintaining the fluid at a supercritical phase upstream of a valve, opening the valve by increasing pressure of the fluid, delaying phase change of the fluid from supercritical to gas.

Abstract: A gas lift system improves the recovery of petroleum fluids from a well to the surface through production tubing. The gas lift system has a packer and a lower injection mandrel connected to the production tubing below the packer. The gas lift system further includes a gas lift module connected to the production tubing above the packer, and an injection line that carries pressurized gas from the surface to both the lower injection mandrel and the gas lift module. An upper injection line valve assembly is configured to provide a source of pressurized gas from the injection line to the gas lift module, while an injection line gas lift valve assembly is configured to provide a source of pressurized gas from the injection line to the lower injection mandrel.

Abstract: A valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a piston disposed in the housing, the piston having a first end and a second end, the piston movable between a position blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet and a position allowing fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, a pressure balance pathway through the housing porting the same pressure to both first and second ends of the piston, an actuator responsive to applied pressure on the valve, the actuator attached to the piston and a biasing arrangement configured to bias the actuator toward a closed position of the valve. A method for injecting a sequestration fluid including maintaining the fluid at a supercritical phase upstream of a valve, opening the valve by increasing pressure of the fluid, delaying phase change of the fluid from supercritical to gas.

Abstract: A gas lift module is designed for deployment within a tubing string in a well that has an annular space surrounding the gas lift module and tubing string. A gas lift valve within the gas lift module includes a valve seat, a valve stem configured to abut the valve seat when the gas lift valve is closed, and a variable orifice valve assembly. The variable orifice valve assembly has an orifice chamber, a variable orifice within the orifice chamber, and a retaining sleeve within the orifice chamber. The variable orifice includes a plurality of interconnected plates that are configured to expand or contract together to form a central aperture of varying size and an orifice spring. The retaining sleeve captures the variable orifice in a contracted state when the retaining sleeve is in contact with the variable orifice.

Abstract: A gas lift module is designed for deployment within a tubing string in a well that has an annular space surrounding the gas lift module and tubing string. A gas lift valve within the gas lift module includes a valve seat, a valve stem configured to abut the valve seat when the gas lift valve is closed, and a variable orifice valve assembly. The variable orifice valve assembly has an orifice chamber, a variable orifice within the orifice chamber, and a retaining sleeve within the orifice chamber. The variable orifice includes a plurality of interconnected plates that are configured to expand or contract together to form a central aperture of varying size and an orifice spring. The retaining sleeve captures the variable orifice in a contracted state when the retaining sleeve is in contact with the variable orifice.

Abstract: For a side pocket mandrel that has a primary flow bore and an offset side pocket, a method for installing a guide sleeve begins with the step of compressing the guide sleeve to reduce an outer diameter of the guide sleeve. The method continues with the step of inserting the guide sleeve into a section of the primary flow bore that has a first inner diameter (D1). The method continues with the steps of allowing the guide sleeve to radially expand such that the outer diameter of the guide sleeve matches the first diameter, pushing the guide sleeve further into the primary flow bore to a guide sleeve section that has a second inner diameter (D2) that is larger than the first inner diameter (D1), and allowing the guide sleeve to radially expand to capture the guide sleeve within the guide sleeve section of the primary flow bore.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel is configured for use within a gas lift system deployed in a well that has an annular space surrounding the gas lift system. The side pocket mandrel includes a central body that includes a central bore, a gas lift valve pocket, and a gas lift valve installed within the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include a motorized choke valve assembly to selectively cover some or all of an internal tubing port extending between the central bore and the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include an automatic closing valve assembly configured to automatically close the gas lift valve port when the gas lift valve is removed from the side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel for use within a gas lift system is configured to permit the exchange of valve pockets. The side pocket mandrel has a central body, a receiver that is laterally offset from the central body, and a valve pocket that is removably secured to the receiver. The valve pocket can be configured for a threaded connection with the receiver to permit the facilitated exchange of modular valve pockets at the receiver. Gas from the valve pocket can be carried to the central body of the side pocket mandrel through one or more external gas lines or one or more internal gas injection passages.